Stretching and tacking implement



July 23, 1935". H. T. MCCLURE STRETCHING AND TACKING IMPLEMENT Filed Feb. 10, 1952 Patented July 23, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE STRETCHING AND TACKING Ill/[PLEMENT Harry T. McClure, Warwick, R. I., assignor to Boston Wire Stitcher Company, Portland, Maine, a corporation of Maine Application February 1.0, 1932, Serial No. 591,999

8 Claims. (Cl. 1-45.6)

This invention relates to stapling devices or Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view tackers, so-called, for use in fastening or attaken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2 looking in the directaching together two or more pieces of material tion indicated by the arrow. or attaching materials to a relatively rigid mount- In the embodiment of the invention as herein 5 ing element, or for applying staples or similar illustrated the stapling head and its mechanism .5

fasteners to other articles penetrable thereby. is of a type employed in oice or desk appliances The present invention relates particularly to a but it is to be understood that the invention is combined work-gripping and stapling or tacking adapted for use with other varieties of stapling implement whereby the work may be seized and or tacking means or with the head constructed l0 held in desired position while driving the staple. as an integral part of the device. 10

One object of the invention is to provide a The construction of the illustrated stapling manually-operable device or implement embodymechanism is herein described briefly in so far as ing stapling or tacking mechanism of any suitable may be necessary for a clear understanding of its type and having associated means by which the functions in the present use. The stapling mechwork may be gripped rmly at or near its edge anism shown in the present drawing is of a design 15 to draw it into place, stretch the material on a and construction substantially like that described surface, or to otherwise adjust and hold the work and illustrated in United States Letters Patent prior to and during the stapling operation. No. 1,584,788 granted May 18, 1926, with the elim- Another object of the invention is to provide an ination only of the base or desk support therefor.

improved implement of plier type having handles The. stapling mechanism is mounted on an elon- 20 which may be gripped and actuated by one hand gated arm or body Ill which is preferably of hollow of the operator to cause the gripping means to construction to adapt it to serve as a magazine seize the work for positioning it while leaving for carrying a supply of staples s. As herein free the operators other hand for manipulation shown, the stapling arm I0 comprises opposite of the staple-driving or tacking mechanism. side plates I I riveted or welded to the sides of a 25 Another objectvof the invention is to provide hollow inverted U-shaped staple-core I2, across an implement of the type specified having a pethe top of which the staples s are straddled. The culiar form of handles by means of which it may upper sides of the staple-core I 2 are offset inwardbe easily manipulated by a single hand to move ly to provide spaces between them and the inner the device bodily with the seized work, thus perfaces of the side plates I I for receiving the legs 30 mitting the stretching or drawing taut of the work of the staples, and the side plates II have inbefore stapling or tacking it to a support. turned flanges I3 which overlie the top of the Another object of the invention is to provide an staple-core to prevent the staples s from riding implement in the form of a holder adapted to up thereon.

rigidly but removably support the stapling mech- A staple-pusher I4, shown in Figs.rr l and 2, is 35 anism of an ordinary hand stapling machine adapted to straddle the sides of the core I2 in posiwithout material alteration in the design or struction at the rear of the series of staples s to slide ture thereof. the latter forwardly to feed the foremost staple A further object of the invention is to provide into position beneath the staple-driver. As herea device of the type specified which is simple in in shown the staple-pusher I4 is attached to the 40 construction, economical to manufacture, proof end of a flat ribbon-like spring I5 which is wound against derangement or getting out of order and into a volute coil I6 held on a core or mandrel I'I ecient and durable in use. extending. between upwardly projecting side- Further objects of the invention are set forth flanges i8 forming a part of the side plates II of in the following specification which describes a the arm I0. The tension of the spring I5 serves 45 preferred form of construction of the device, by to urge the staple-pusher I4 forwardly on the way of example, as illustrated by the accomstaple-core I2 to cause it to feed a fresh staple panying drawing. In the drawing: into position beneath the staple-driver I9 after Fig. 1 is a perspective View of the improved dethe previously fed staple has been applied to the vice illustrating the gripping means in engagework. 50

ment with the edge of a work piece and the The staple-driver I 9, in the form ofaflat metal stapling mechanism in position for driving a plate, is carried byaplunger 20 which reciprocates staple therethrough; at the front of the stapling arm I0, the lateral Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal sectional view edges of the driver being formed with splines of the device shown in Fig. 1; and which slide in grooves in the inner faces of the 55 side plates Secured to the top of the plunger 26 is a hand-rest or knob 2| adapted to receive the pressure of the operators hand to slide the staple-driver I9 downwardly in driving the staples through the work. Beneath the knob 2| is a helical spring 22, the lower end of which seats against a shelf or rest 23, thereby tending to maintain the plunger normally in raised position with the bottom edge of the staple-driver |9 above the top of the foremost staple in the series. It will be understood that the pressure of the staple-pusher 4 holds the foremost staple pressed against abutments 24 at the forward end of the` arm Il) with the legs of this staple opposite the grooves in which the staple-driver i6 slides, thereby preventing the staple from dropping down outl of position until it is acted upon by the driver.

The structure and arrangement of the stapling mechanism as above described -are in accordance with a well-known type of device now in common use, but it is to be understood that this part of the apparatus is not directly related to the present invention and may take other forms. For example, means for driving tacks or brads may be substituted in its place.

As hereinbefore stated, the invention is particularly concerned with the provision of an improved device or implement embodying a suitable form of stapling or tacking mechanism and means cooperating therewith whereby the work may be drawn into position to be fastened to a support or other object. Examples of the uses to which the implement may be applied are: the stretching and mounting of skins or pelts on a rigid backing or board, and the stretching and tacking of screen-cloth to a window or door frame. These stated purposes are mentioned only as examples, however, it being understood that the device is applicable to use in many other arts requiring either the holding or stretching of materials preparatory to and during fastening them in place.

Referring further to the accompanying drawing, the stapling arm li) is herein shown as being carried by the forward end 25 of one of a pair of pivotally connected handle-members 26 and 21. The members 26 and 21 are preferably constructed of light cast metal, such as aluminum or aluminum alloy, and are hingedly connected together to provide pairs of cooperating arms or extensions at each side of their fulcrum or pivotal axis. One pair of arms constitute the means for supporting the stapling mechanism and for providing work-gripping jaws, while those of the other pair are shaped to provide handles by means of which the gripping jaws are actuated in the manner of pliers. vThe member 21 is made of greater transverse dimension at its forward end, indicated by the reference numeral 28. and is suitably apertured to provide a substantially rectangularly shaped opening 29 therethrough. The lateral sides 3G of the other member 26 are dimensioned to nt within the inner faces of the sides 3| longitudinally bounding the opening 29 in the member 21. In assembling the parts the member 26 is inserted through the opening 29 of the member 21 and pivot-pins 32 riveted through alined holes 33 and 34 provided in each of the sides 3| and 30.

The forward extremities of the sides 3| of then member 21 are connected by an integral, transverse bridge-piece 35 which vlies underneath the forward arm of the member 26 and the stapling mechanism carried thereby. Secured to the bridge 35 by rivets 36 or other suitable means is a forwardly-extending bottom grip-plate or jaw 31,

the purpose of which will be hereinafter more fully7 explained.

The rearward arms or extensions of the members 26 and 21 are shaped to provide handles for grasping the implement by one hand to operate it in the manner of a pair of pliers. One or both of the handles may be provided with a curved finger or hook, such as indicated by the reference numeral 33, to prevent the hand from slipping when the device is pulled to stretch or draw taut the material gripped thereby. As above indicated, the member 26 is formed to adapt it to mount a stapling mechanism of any suitable type.

In the embodiment of the stapling mechanism as herein shown the stapling arm |13 is constituted as an elongated body of substantially rectangular cross section. Consequently, the forward end of the member 26 is constructed with a longitudinally extending pocket or recess complemental to the outer configuration of the stapling arm |0. To provide for repair or replacement of the stapling unit the present invention contemplates the provision of means whereby it may be removed from and replaced on the implement at will. Accordingly, the recess in the memberl 26 for receiving the stapling arm l is open at one end to permit the arm to slide thereinto and be withdrawn therefrom. More specifically, the member 26 is recessed longitudinally to provide a pocket 46 having a at bottom 4| and sides 30 with overhanging upper flanges 43, the forward end 44 of the pocket being open. The sides 3U and flanges 43 are adapted to extend substantially the entire length of the arm I0, while the bottom 4| projects forwardly only about one-half the length of the arm. The arm l0 preferably has a close fit within the interior of the pocket 40 to rigidly hold the stapling mechanism in place on the member 26.

Means are provided for releasably locking the stapling arm I0 to the member 26 and in the present embodiment of the invention the locking means comprises a flat leaf-spring 45 riveted at 46 to the oor or bottom 4| of the pocket 40 in the member. The forward end of the spring 46 is provided with a detent latch or keeper 41 which engages with a transverse slot 46 provided in the bottom of the arm I0. The arm IU has been described as comprising side plates enclosing a hollow staple-core I2. In the usual construction the several parts of the arm I0 are held together by means of a channel-strip 49 which has its sides welded or otherwise suitably fastened to the sides of the staple-core l2. In the present form of construction the lower channel or recess in the strip 49 is provided with a filler strip or plate 50, in which is formed the detent slot 48. Rearwardly of the slot 48 the plate 50 is beveled oli at 5| to adapt it to ride over the edge of the latch- 41 on the spring 45 to depress the latter. In assembling the stapling mechanism on the member 2G the rearward end of the arm 0 is slid rearwardly within the pocket 40 until the detent-latch 41 engages with the slot 48 in the under side of the arm. The stapling mechanism will thus be properly positioned on and locked to the member 26 in operative position at the forward end of the implement. To remove the arm I6 and the stapling mechanism carried thereby from the implement it is merely necessary to depress the spring 45 by engaging its outer end, thus freeing the detent-latch 41 from the slot 48.

The lower grip-plate or jaw 31 which, as before mentioned, is carried on the member 21, extends forwardly therefrom to a position just short of the outer end of the stapling arm I0, that is, closely adjacent to the path of movement of the staple-driver I9. By this form of construction there is provided between the top of the jaw 31 and the bottom of the forward end of the arm l a pair of gripping surfaces by which the piece of work w may be seized to position it for stapling. It is of course obvious that pressure applied to the ends of handles on the members 26 and 21 by the hand of an operator will cause a movement of the jaw 31 toward the bottom of the arm I0. To provide a secure grip of the jaws on the edge of the work, such as an animal pelt or a piece of leather or fabric, the jaw 31 and arm I0 are provided with teeth or serrations 52 and 53 extending laterally of their opposed faces. The serrations 53 are out transversely of the bottom of the side plates Il of the arm l0 at the forward end thereof and in the bottom surface of the filler plate 50 which is extended to the forward end of the arm.

It will be observed from the foregoing description that the invention provides an implement for gripping skins, leather, fabric, screen-cloth and other work-pieces at their edge portions to render it convenient to stretch and position the same in stapling or tacking them to a support. After the material has been drawn into position or stretched across a frame or support, with the implement held in one hand, the operator presses on the knob 2| with the other hand to slide the driver I9 downwardly to drive a staple through the material and into the support thcrebeneath. This operation may be repeated as required With the staples or other fasteners fed automatically to the applying means as long as a supply remains in the magazine,

Particular attention is directed to the construction of the work-gripping jaw 31 of the implement which consists of a relatively thin plate having a serrated or roughened upper surface adapted to cooperate with the opposed gripping surface 53 on the stapling arm l0. The jaw 31 is purposely made as thin as is practicable for its required function to permit the work-piece held thereby and the stapling mechanism to be brought relatively close to the object upon which the material is to be tacked or fastened. It will be observed by reference to Fig. 1 of the drawing that the work-piece gripped by the jaws is brought substantially to the level of the mounting board and the staple-driver is thus rendered capable of driving a staple or tack to the desired depth, that is, with the work-piece in close contact with its mounting.

It will also be observed by reference to the drawing that the handles at the rear end of members 26 and 21 are so constructed as to lie above the plane of the lower surface of the gripping jaw 31 when the device is in operative position, thus permitting the implement to be positioned close to the surface of a mounting ele- 'ment or frame to which a skin, pelt, screen cloth or the like is to be attached. Furthermore, this novel construction and arrangement of the handles with respect to the underside of the lower gripping jaw and the stapling mechanism permits the placement of the implement `at any point upon a substantially flat surface with the staple-driver or tacker in the proper operating position. By forming the finger or hook 38 with its lower end above the surface plane of the bottom of jaw 31 an operator may hold the entire implement in surface contact with an article without cramping the fingers. This feature is found to be of especial advantage in mounting skins or pelts upon a rigid backing when it is desired to apply the staples or tacks in the central area thereof.

The present device is simple in structure, inexpensive to manufacture, and eflicient in use for the above-mentioned and other purposes. It is light in weight and compact in size to permit the manipulation of the work-gripping jaws by means of one hand of the operator and thus leave the other hand free to operate the mechanism for driving the staples. In certainnstances where it is not desired to hold the work-piece between the gripping jaws the handles may be held in closed position and the device placed directly upon the work with the bottom of the'jaw member 31 resting thereon.

While there is herein illustrated and described one preferred embodiment of the device it is to be understood that various modifications may be made in the structure and arrangement of the parts thereof without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, Without limiting myself in this respect, I claim:

l. In an implement of the character specified the combination of a pair of pivoted members, jaws operative by movement of the pivoted members for seizing the edge of a piece of material, means for releasably attaching astapling device to one of said member, means for carrying a supply of fasteners in said stapling device, and a driver on the stapling device reciprocable across the side of the jaws to drive the fasteners through the material and into a support.

2. In an implement of the character described, the combination of a magazine for carrying a supply of fasteners, a driver for driving the fasteners through the work, means for successively feeding the fasteners to the driver, a holder for said fastener-applying mechanism comprising a pair of handle-members pivotally connected to-v gether with one of said members formed with a longitudinally-extending opening at its forward end adapted to receive the magazine of the fastener-applying mechanism, and means for retaining said magazine in 'said opening.

3. In an implement of the character specified,`

the combination of a fastener-applying unit, a. pair of plier-members, means operative by movement of the plier-members for gripping the edge of a piece of material, and means for releasably mounting the fastener-applying unit on the implement in position to apply the fasteners adjacent to the edge of the material held in the gripping means.

4. In an implement of the character specified, I

the combination of a stapling unit, a pair of plier-members, jaws operative by the movement of the plier-members for gripping the edge of a piece of material, one of said members formed.

with a pocket for receiving the stapling unit, and means for releasably attaching the stapling unit to the plier-member.

5. In an implement of the character specified, the combination of a pair of plier-members, jaws operative by the movement of the plier-members for seizing the edge of a piece of material, one of said members formed with a longitudinallyextending opening, a fastener-applying unit slidably mounted within the opening in said member, and detent-means for releasably securing the fastener-applying unit in place in the' opening in said member.

6. In an implement of the character specified, the combination of a pair of pivoted plier-mem- Cil bers, jaws operative by movement of the pliermembers for gripping the edge of a piece of material, one member being of hollow construction, a stapling-head fitted within the hollow member, latching means for retaining the stapling-head within the hollow member, a staple-driver reciprocable on said head for driving the staples into the work, and means for successively feeding staples into position beneath the staple-driver.

7. In combination with a device having means for applying fasteners to the Work and a magazine for supplying fasteners to the applying means, a handle member having a slotted portion adapted to receive the fastener-applying device, latching means for releasably retaining said device within the opening of said handle member, and a second handle member pivoted to the first member and having a jaw extending forwardly aooai 1e `from its pivot for cooperation with the under side of the device to grip the material to be fastened.

8. In combination with a stapling device having a head with mechanism therein for applying staples, a magazine for containing a supply of staples and means for feeding said staples to the applying mechanism; a, handle member having a slotted forward end adapted to receive the mag azine of the stapling device, a latch for retaining said stapling device within the slotted end of said member, and a second handle memr pivoted to the rst member and provided with a jaw underlying the forward end of the stapling device to adapt it to cooperate therewith to seize the work to hold it while it is being stapled.

HARRY T. MCCLURE. 

